The chief says the fourth-grader was misbehaving Friday and sent to Abati’s classroom to write a letter of apology. Geppert says Abati grabbed the boy’s shoulder and shook him after he read the letter aloud to the class. She allegedly said, “You’re lucky I don’t punch you in the face” when the boy asked why she touched him.

Abati is on paid leave and couldn’t be located for comment Thursday. A union spokesman says Abati’s account is “very different” than the boy’s.